Antenna Help

[BassHead]

I unscrewed a telescoping antenna from the pivot / swivel base to take apart a box. Now I tried to put it together and the antenna won't stand up-right. If I don't keep it propped up, it will drop to the ground. The friction needed to keep the antenna raised..on its own will...is just not there!

I'm almost certain that there wasn't a washer, but who knows since this screw is so dang small. Regardless it's a pretty snug fit, and when I connect up the antenna to the swivel base, I don't think there is even enough width to install a washer.

What am I doing wrong here? I've done a bunch of internet sleuthing, and can't find this topic anywhere, so I must be the only idiot

Thanks in advance!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

There are two copper washers on either side of the antenna. You have to get those washers and slip it in on either side and carefully tighten it. Make sure you have the correct tip of the screw driver for those tiny screws. It is so easy to mess up the head of the screw and also cross thread it.

These copper washers are very thin like a printing paper or lesser. There is enough room for those Al foil thick copper washers to slide in.

I would go in an anti clockwise direction and feel the click before you go clockwise and turn it. Keep tightening and stop at the point where the antenna holds in position without falling.

I use a toothpick and align the washers with the antenna base hole and the antenna and washers, hold it still and slip the screw in. It looks simple but it can get annoying when you lose the washers. I hold the washers a little out on either side of the antenna home and use it like a wedge and slip it in. That trick always work the best.

 

[BassHead]

Much love. Thanks BoomboxLover! I wasn't expecting the washers, and they must be on my carpet somewhere. I will look. Otherwise I will check one of my parts boxes for them. Otherwise, radio shack or hope depot.

Good call on screwdriver size. The score was already stripped so I was careful removing it, and made sure the screw driver was appropriate.

Thanks for the detailed method. This is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Northerner]

Yep, exactly what BBL says, he’s spot on

 

[T-STER]

Yeah those little washers really get on my nerves

 

[Superduper]

Technically speaking, those are shims and not washers and are virtually impossible to find if replacement is needed. Washers are almost always too thick to work in this application. Advice: don’t lose those.

 

[Jorge]

Wow, what a coincidence! Today I removed the antenna off RC-550 before giving it a thorough wash and then found two washers (shims) at the bottom of the tub. Now I know what they are: Thank You guys!!!

 

[BassHead]

Technically speaking, those are shims and not washers and are virtually impossible to find if replacement is needed. Washers are almost always too thick to work in this application. Advice: don’t lose those.

Thanks SuperDuper. Well I lost them. I tore apart the living room looking, twice now. I will look again tomorrow. Do the shims need to be conductive, and hence why copper is used?

I went to home depot and the local craft store and you are right, everything was too thick. The thinnest I found was 1mm, and after trying that concluded that 2 washers in the 0.3 to 0.4 thick range should work. I did find someone on Etsy selling a copper washer that is 6mm (outside diameter), 2.5mm (inside diameter), and 0.4mm (thickness). I don't own a micrometer, but using my engineering scale, it seems like this MAY work. 0.3mm thick would be safer.

Otherwise, I'm probably best off buying a replacement antenna on Ebay and hoping for the best.

Wow, what a coincidence! Today I removed the antenna off RC-550 before giving it a thorough wash and then found two washers (shims) at the bottom of the tub. Now I know what they are: Thank You guys!!!

Jorge, I'm happy to hear that this helped you out! And the same boombox!

Can you send a photo so I can see what I'm working with? Can you give me rough dimensions? If you have put it back together it is all good! Thanks.

 

[Fatdog]

Sometimes the antenna bases, or sides, are "hollow" and the shims can fall down into the base. I have had that happen to me before years ago - I don't remember the box.

Of course, you will have to remove the bases, but only if they are hollow - unless you just want to hold the entire boombox upside down and shake it.

 

[Jorge]

Two shims, made of brass for extra conductivity: OD 6.3mm; ID 3.0mm; thickness 0.3mm.

I pulled out two antenna shims out of my "organ donor" Magnavox, and they will be a perfect fit for you(OD 6.0mm):

Already packed in the plastic bag, PM me your address and I will mail them to you tomorrow.

Since you asked, No, my El Diablo is still all over the place:

Cones got spray-painted yesterday with Red ink. I was not comfortable painting with anything stronger because of the extra stiffness/weight acrylic or enamel might add:

 

[BassHead]

Holy Sh*t! Thanks Bro! PM on the way.


Those speakers look sick!! Thanks for sharing the paint that you used.

 

[MyOhMy]

.................I use a toothpick and align the washers with the antenna base hole and the antenna and washers, hold it still and slip the screw in. It looks simple but it can get annoying when you lose the washers. I hold the washers a little out on either side of the antenna home and use it like a wedge and slip it in. That trick always work the best.

Me too, I do the very same as this but also apply a small amount of oil/lube/saliva/whatever to the washers before positioning them to help keep them in place. 'Tis a finicky job indeed but very satisfying once accomplished.

 

[floyd]

If there's a hell there's a guy stamping out those washers by hand.

 

[BassHead]

Sometimes the antenna bases, or sides, are "hollow" and the shims can fall down into the base. I have had that happen to me before years ago - I don't remember the box.

Of course, you will have to remove the bases, but only if they are hollow - unless you just want to hold the entire boombox upside down and shake it.

I remember hearing a noise when I disconnected the antennae from the swivel base. In my haze, I didn't think to look to see what it is! Then I figured it out after I swept up. I guarantee...I throw away, at least one of them. Either way Jorge came to the rescue and I have shims in route!

 

[TW5]

The shims, washers, round things, are for friction as well as making a proper connection to the antenna
so it does not make static or crackle if moved.
it could be called a brush, like for motors
thats what i figured they were there for.

 

[BassHead]

Jorge hooked it up with the washers / shims, and I got my antenna put back together. Thanks Jorge!!